Chama sunrise. With the newly risen sun filtering through the trees on the east side of the Chama Yard, the shop crew brings the 487 to a halt at the dual-spouted water tank. Having just cleaned her fire at the ash pit, the next steps in the regular morning ritual include filling the tender tank with water and washing the coal pile. One had better not stand too close to the locomotive when the latter is being done. Shortly, they'll pull ahead and switch onto the main. From there, they'll proceed to the coaling station, where the coal pile will be topped off. After that, they'll couple up to the consist waiting at the depot, and all that will remain will be a little greasing and a little oiling around. By the 10 AM departure time, this nearly 90 year-old machine will be ready to work just as hard as it ever has since the day it emerged from the Baldwin Shops back in 1925.
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad are all that remains of the legendary Denver & Rio Grande Western narrow gauge system. Here you'll find some of my favorites from these two beautiful railways.
